Ep 6. Alien Galaxies

In season 1 episode 6 of How the Universe Works, titled "Alien Galaxies," viewers are taken on a journey through deep space to explore some of the most mysterious phenomena in the universe. The episode begins by examining the vastness of our universe and the sheer number of galaxies that exist within it. With varying sizes, shapes, and colors, galaxies provide a glimpse into the diverse nature of our universe.

The episode then delves into the concept of "alien galaxies," which refers to galaxies that are drastically different from our own Milky Way galaxy. Viewers are introduced to two such galaxies, the Cartwheel Galaxy and the Mice Galaxies, which both have unique characteristics that make them stand out among the millions of other galaxies in our universe.

The Cartwheel Galaxy, located approximately 500 million light-years away from Earth, is a stunning example of a galaxy collision. The episode explains how this galaxy was formed when a smaller galaxy collided with the larger Cartwheel Galaxy, triggering a massive explosion that sent gas and dust shooting out in all directions. Through stunning visual effects, viewers are able to witness the beauty of this phenomenon and learn more about the impact that such collisions can have on the formation of galaxies.

The episode then shifts its focus to the Mice Galaxies, a pair of galaxies that are currently in the process of merging with one another. Unlike the Cartwheel Galaxy, this pair of galaxies contains massive black holes, which scientists believe will eventually merge with one another as the galaxies continue to collide. Viewers are given an up-close look at these black holes and learn about the complex forces that are at play during a galaxy merger.

As the episode draws to a close, viewers are left with a sense of wonder and amazement at the sheer scale and complexity of our universe. From the colorful swirls of the Cartwheel Galaxy to the looming black holes of the Mice Galaxies, the episode provides a glimpse into the incredible diversity that exists within our universe and the mysteries that still remain to be uncovered. As we continue to explore the vastness of space, we are reminded of just how little we truly know about the universe we inhabit.